Raytheon dedicated the first of several new buildings as part of a major expansion at its missile systems campus in Tucson, Arizona.

It’s new complex includes structures that will house many of the 2,000 additional employees the company is hiring to support business growth. The 559,000-square-foot expansion will include an advanced testing facility, a multi-purpose building, a customer access center and several additional buildings; The expansion project includes infrastructure upgrades, such as; new laboratories and testing facilities, engineering and manufacturing enhancements, and high-powered computing capability. It is planned for completion in 2020.

Raytheon Missile Systems designs, engineers, tests and manufactures some of the most advanced aerospace and defense technologies of today and the future, including missile defense systems, hypersonic missiles and space vehicles.

“Our expansion supports the nation's military, the security of America's allies and the U.S., state and local economies," said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, President of Raytheon's Missile Systems business.

“Given the high stakes, it’s imperative that we strategically and intelligently prepare for the threats ahead,” said Dr. Lawrence. "These new facilities fulfill that strategy by supporting evolving capacity requirements.”

According to company officials, Raytheon used its advanced immersive design center to design and create models of the new buildings before any concrete was poured. The 3-D modeling provided a more accurate blueprint for construction than conventional techniques.

Raytheon Missile Systems is Southern Arizona’s largest private employer, with an annual statewide economic impact of more than $2.1 billion.

"With more than 500 suppliers around Arizona and a workforce of nearly 12,000 people, Raytheon continues to have a positive economic impact throughout our state," said Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. "Increasing Raytheon's infrastructure and job growth in Arizona is a major win for all of us, and the result of solid partnerships statewide."